Inclined product display and shelving system

ABSTRACT

A product display for use on a shelf is disclosed. The product display includes a bottom member and at least one angled member. The bottom member includes a track. The track is configured to support a plurality of products thereon. The at least one angled member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the track. The at least one angled member positions the track at an angle with respect to an axis defined by the shelf. The angle is greater than 0°.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a product display and a shelving, system, and more particularly, to an inclined product display configured to be used to assist in gravity teed of merchandise.

Various types of product display and merchandisers are commonly used in retail environments to display different types or products. As opposed to simply positioning products on shelves, product displays are commonly used to position products on a shelf in manner which automatically advances (e.g., via gravity or a pusher) a trailing or distal product (i.e., a product that is behind a lead or proximal-most product) closer to a consumer once the lead product has been removed from the shelf. As can be appreciated, such product displays facilitate the arrangement and upkeep of products, as the trailing products do not have to be manually moved toward the front of the shelf, for instance.

Additionally, in retail environments, for example, floor/shelf space is limited, and retailers typically attempt to maximize the amount of products they can store/display in their retail space.

Accordingly, it is often desirable for retailers to display products in as many viewable and reachable places as possible, while still allowing the products to automatically advance toward the proximal portion of the shelf.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a product display for use on a shelf. The product display includes a bottom member and at least one angled member. The bottom member includes a track. The track is configured to support a plurality of products thereon. The at least one angled member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the track. The at least one angled member positions the track at an angle with respect to an axis defined by the shelf. The angle is greater than 0°.

In disclosed embodiments, the at least one angled member includes two angled members. It is further disclosed that the at least one angled member is affixed to the bottom member. Additionally, it is disclosed that the at least one angled member is attachable to the bottom member via a snap-fit connection.

In disclosed embodiments, the at least one angled member positions the track at an angle of between about 2° and about 15°, between about 5° and about 10°, or between about 8° and about 9°.

It is further disclosed that the product display also includes at least one proximal member disposed adjacent a proximal end of the track. The at least one proximal member is configured to help maintain a proximal-most product on the track. It is also disclosed that the product display further includes a pair of side members with each side member disposed adjacent a lateral side of the track. The pair of side members is configured to help maintain the products on the track. It is further disclosed that the product display includes a distal member disposed adjacent a distal end of the track. The distal member is configured to help maintain a distal-most product on the track.

The present disclosure also relates to a shelving system. The shelving system includes at least one support member, a plurality of shelves, and a product display. The plurality of shelves is supported by the at least one support member. The plurality of shelves includes a first set of shelves and a highest shelf. The product display is positioned on the highest shelf, and includes a bottom member and at least one angled member. The bottom member includes a track configured to support a plurality of products thereon. The at least one angled member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the track, and positions the track at an angle with respect to an axis defined by the highest shelf. The angle is greater than 0°.

It is further disclosed that each shelf of the first set of shelves is configured to support a plurality of products thereon. It is also disclosed that the highest shelf is perpendicular with respect to the at least one support member. Additionally, it is disclosed that each of the plurality of shelves is perpendicular with respect to the at least one support member.

In disclosed embodiments, a distal portion of the track is higher than an upper-most end of each of the at least one support member. Here, it is further disclosed that the highest shelf is perpendicular with respect to the at least one support member.

It is further disclosed that the at least one angled member positions the track at an angle of between about 2° and about 15°. It is also disclosed that the at least one angled member positions the track at an angle of between about 8° and about 9°, and that the track of the product display is configured and dimensioned to hold a plurality of plastic bottles thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inclined product display in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the inclined product display of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the inclined product display of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the inclined product display of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of several inclined product displays of FIGS. 1-4 positioned adjacent each other;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inclined product display including two proximal members in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the inclined product display of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the inclined product display of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the inclined product display of FIGS. 6-8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of several inclined product displays of FIGS. 6-9 positioned adjacent each other;

FIGS. 11-18 are various views of several different configurations of inclined product displays in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a plurality of inclined product displays supported by a shelf with each inclined product display supporting a plurality of products; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a plurality of shelves, with each shelf supporting a plurality of products, and wherein the top shelf includes a plurality of inclined product displays thereon, with each inclined product display supporting a plurality of products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed product display and shelving system are now described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of the shelving system, or component thereof, farther from a user (e.g., customer), while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the shelving system, or component thereof, closer to the user.

Various embodiments of an inclined product display are illustrated in FIGS. 1-20 and are generally referenced by numeral 100. The product display 100 includes a bottom member 110 having a track 120, a pair of side walls 140, a distal member 160, and angled members 180. Additionally, some of the illustrated embodiments of the product display 100 include one or more proximal members 200.

The track 120 includes a product-supporting surface and is configured to slidably support a plurality of products “P” thereon (see FIGS. 19 and 20). That is, products “P” are slidable along the track 120. For example, gravity urges products “P” to slide along the track 120 in a distal-to-proximal direction.

The side walls 140 are disposed at both sides of the track 120 and are configured to help maintain products “P” on the track 120. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, when a plurality of product displays 100 are used on the same store shelf “S,” it is envisioned that adjacent product displays 100 share a common side wall 140.

The distal member 160 is disposed at the rear or distal portion of the track 120 of the product display 100 and is configured to help maintain products “P” on the track 120.

The proximal members 200, where included on the product displays 100, are positioned adjacent the front or proximal portion of the track 120 and are configured to help maintain products “P” on the track 120. More specifically, the proximal members 200 help prevent a lead product “Pl” from falling proximally off the track 120, and oppose the gravitational force and/or the force supplied by a pusher (not shown). Additionally, while the illustrated embodiments include certain types of proximal members 200, the present disclosure includes the use of any suitable type and number of proximal members 200 per product display 100.

The angled members 180 can be either secured to the bottom member 110 (e.g., unitarily formed therewith, affixed thereto, etc.), or attachable to the bottom member 110 (e.g., via a snap-fit connection, etc.). The product display 100 can include one or more angled members 180 on each of its lateral sides and/or below a central portion of the bottom member 110. The angled members 180 are configured to position the track 120 at an inclined position, which may assist in gravity feeding the products “P” in a distal-to-proximal direction.

In use, the product display 100 is configured for use on a store shelf “S,” for example, and the store shelf “S” can be supported by at least one support member, e.g., vertical supports “VS” (see FIGS. 19 and 20), peg boards, etc. It is envisioned that the product display 100 is usable on an upper-most, highest or top store shelf “TS,” while the remaining shelves either do not include display units and/or are outfitted with other types of display units, such as those where the track is parallel to the shelf “S.” Further, the height of the store shelves “S” and “TS” with respect to the vertical supports “VS” may be adjustable using conventional means.

With particular reference to FIG. 20, a shelving system 10 including a plurality of product displays 100 is shown. As illustrated, the lower four store shelves “S” each include a plurality of products “P” without any display units thereon. The top store shelf “TS” includes the inclined product display 100 thereon.

The inclusion of the inclined product display 100 allows an additional amount of product “P” to be readily accessible to a consumer. That is, due to the height of the top store shelf “TS,” it is generally difficult/impossible for a consumer to access the products “P” behind the lead product “Pl.” Thus, if the top store shelf “TS” included a non-inclined display unit “D,” consumers would not be able to readily access any product “P” after the lead product “Pl” has been shopped. As can be appreciated, the inclined product display 100 does not suffer from this problem, as after the lead product “Pl” is shopped or removed, gravity urges the remaining products “P” proximally, thus facilitating the viewing and shopping of all of the products “P” on the product display 100.

Moreover, while store shelves “S” are commonly positionable on inclines, it often occurs that the top store shelf “TS” cannot be placed at a suitable angle with respect to a horizontal axis “A-A,” because the vertical supports “VS” that support the store shelves “S” are fixed at a certain height. Thus, the height of the rear or distal portion of the store shelf “S” is limited by the height of the vertical supports “VS.” It is therefore common for the height of the vertical supports “VS” to result in a top store shelf “TS” that is virtually inaccessible (especially the non-lead products “P” thereon). Additionally, when the store shelves “S” themselves are inclined with respect to the vertical supports “VS,” it is common for valuable retail space above the top store shelf “TS” to be un- or under-utilized. That is, there is often space for an accessible store shelf “S” (or at least a proximal portion of such a store shelf “S”) above the top store shelf “TS,” but the rear portion of the top store shelf “TS” is already at or near the top of the vertical supports “VS.” In such situations, there is not enough room on the vertical supports “VS” to support an additional store shelf “S” above the existing top store shelf “TS,” thus resulting in inefficient utilization of valuable retail space.

As can be appreciated with reference to FIG. 20, the use of the disclosed product display 100 enables products “P” that are positioned near, horizontally aligned with, or above the top of vertical supports “VS” to be readily accessible to consumer. For instance, the distal-most products “P” are positioned above the top of the vertical supports “VS,” and portions of the lead products “Pl” are positioned above the top of the vertical supports “VS.”

Additionally, it is envisioned that at least one store shelf “S” (i.e., not the top store shelf “TS”) is positioned on an incline. It is further envisioned that the product display 100 is positioned on the top store shelf “TS” and at least one other inclined or non-inclined store shelf “S.” Moreover, it is envisioned that product displays without angled members 180 are positioned on store shelves “S” (e.g., non-inclined store shelves “S”) and such product displays may include a pusher assembly to urge products “P” proximally.

Further, while the accompanying figures illustrate a particular number of product displays 100 disposed adjacent each other, it is envisioned and within the scope of the present disclosure to include more or fewer amounts of product displays 100, and to include product displays 100 of other sizes, and disposed at different angles than those illustrated.

It is envisioned that the angled members 180 are designed to maintain the track 120 at a particular angle α with respect to the horizontal axis “A-A” (e.g., a store shelf “S”; see FIG. 19). For example, it is envisioned that the angle α is between about 2° and about 15°. It is further envisioned that the angle α is between about 8° and about 9°, between about 6° and about 7°, or between about 10° and about 15°.

It is further envisioned that the particular angle α of the track 120 is determined at least in part by the products “P” that will be displayed thereon. For example, for product displays 100 sized and dimensioned to hold plastic (e.g., Polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”)) bottles (e.g., 2-liter bottles) thereon, it is envisioned that the angle α is between about 8° and about 9°. Moreover, for relatively heavy products “P” and/or products with a relatively low coefficient of friction (e.g., 2-liter bottles), the angle α may be designed to be relatively low, (e.g., between about 2° and about 10°), and for relatively light products “P” and/or products with a relatively high coefficient of friction (e.g., bags of chips), the angle α may be designed to be relatively high, (e.g., between about 10° and about 15°). Additionally, for product displays 100 sized and dimensioned to hold glass bottles thereon, it is envisioned that the angle α is between about 6° and about 7°; for product displays 100 sized and dimensioned to hold aluminum cans thereon, it is envisioned that the angle α is between about 10° and about 150.

Further, it is envisioned that the angled members 180 can be integrated with other types of tracks 120 in addition to the tracks 120 illustrated in the accompanying figures. For example, it is envisioned that the angled members 180 are usable with the product displays described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,176, which issued on Jul. 8, 1997, the entire contents of which being incorporated by reference herein.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

1. A product display for use on a shelf, the product display comprising: a bottom member having a track, the track configured to support a plurality of products thereon; and at least one angled member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the track, the at least one angled member positioning the track at an angle with respect to an axis defined by the shelf, wherein the angle is greater than 0°.
 2. The product display according to claim 1, wherein the at least one angled member includes two angled members.
 3. The product display according to claim 1, wherein the at least one angled member is affixed to the bottom member.
 4. The product display according to claim 1, wherein the at least one angled member is attachable to the bottom member via a snap-fit connection.
 5. The product display according to claim 1, wherein the at least one angled member positions the track at an angle of between about 2° and about 15°.
 6. The product display according to claim 1, wherein the at least one angled member positions the track at an angle of between about 5° and about 10°.
 7. The product display according to claim 1, wherein the at least one angled member positions the track at an angle of between about 8° and about 9°.
 8. The product display according to claim 1, further including at least one proximal member disposed adjacent a proximal end of the track, the at least one proximal member configured to help maintain a proximal-most product on the track.
 9. The product display according to claim 1, further including a pair of side members, each side member disposed adjacent a lateral side of the track, the pair of side members configured to help maintain the products on the track.
 10. The product display according to claim 1, further including a distal member disposed adjacent a distal end of the track, the distal member configured to help maintain a distal-most product on the track.
 11. A shelving system, comprising: at least one support member; a plurality of shelves supported by the at least one support member, the plurality of shelves including a first set of shelves and a highest shelf; and a product display positioned on the highest shelf, the product display including: a bottom member having a track, the track configured to support a plurality of products thereon; and at least one angled member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the track, the at least one angled member positioning the track at an angle with respect to an axis defined by the highest shelf, wherein the angle is greater than 0°.
 12. The shelving system according to claim 11, wherein each shelf of the first set of shelves is configured to support a plurality of products thereon.
 13. The shelving system according to claim 11, wherein the highest shelf is perpendicular with respect to the at least one support member.
 14. The shelving system according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of shelves is perpendicular with respect to the at least one support member.
 15. The shelving system according to claim 11, wherein a distal portion of the track is higher than an upper-most end of each of the at least one support member.
 16. The shelving system according to claim 15, wherein the highest shelf is perpendicular with respect to the at least one support member.
 17. The shelving system according to claim 11, wherein the at least one angled member positions the track at an angle of between about 2° and about 15°.
 18. The shelving system according to claim 11, wherein the at least one angled member positions the track at an angle of between about 8° and about 9°, and wherein the track of the product display is configured and dimensioned to hold a plurality of plastic bottles thereon. 